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Thursday, April 29, 2010

What began as an exciting morning turned into a rather disappointing afternoon. After a week of contractions and extreme low pressure, I went for my 37 week appointment today. I am measuring 38 weeks, 2 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and -1 station. The exciting (I know this is going to seem ironic at first) part was that my BP was 140/78, and Dr. Liao unexpectedly sent me to L&D from his office. Talk about an inital shocker! Basically, he said that because my cervix was "favorable" for labor, because baby Jackson is now full term, and because my BP was elevated, he was thinking of inducing me today. Yes, today. When we left the office, he said there was at least a 50/50 chance we would have Jackson today.

So Justin and I went home, finalized our hospital bag-packing, ate a very light lunch, and went to the hospital. Induction wasn't what I had in mind as my "ideal" labor, but I was ok with the idea-- especially if it meant not being pregnant anymore and having Jackson in my arms. When we got to the hospital, they hooked me up to the monitors, took serial BPs, and drew more blood.

Low and behold--everything was completely normal. Dr. Ng came to see me in the hospital room and wasn't the least bit concerned about what had been going on. Within two hours, they sent me home to return to my normal activities. Call me crazy, but this was really disappointing. It just seemed so strange to me to go from "at least a 50% chance of having the baby today" to two hours later "see you, you're fine."

I suppose it's for the best, but I just hate the thought of being back in the waiting game again. This just means more time to worry, be uncomfortable, get more stretch marks, and feel like a ticking time bomb about to go off at any second. I feel really selfish for feeling this way, but I can't help it. The whole ordeal seems so surreal to me--did this really just happen? I guess I wish that if we weren't going to have Jackson today, there wouldn't have ever been that 50% chance. Oh well, I guess I just have to squeeze the lemons and make some lemonade tonight. Jackson will arrive when he is supposed to arrive. God must have a totally different plan for my labor. Again, only time will tell.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

That's my dog Maggie Mae. She's a tick magnet. :) Yesterday we took Mags to Silver Lake in Haymarket (a recent discovery by my folks) for a romp. Little did we know that she would return home covered in ticks. The grass wasn't even that high, but somehow she managed to attract every blood-sucking bug of the land. When we got home, mom took a nap with Maggie in the bed, and then mom even found one on herself. Our evening would have made the perfect new music video for Brad Paisley's song "Ticks."

'Cause I'd like to see you out in the moonlight,

I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks,

I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers,

And I'd like to check you for ticks.

Yes Maggie-- I'd like to check you for ticks. Wait--I have no choice BUT to check you for ticks.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Today's 36-week doctor's appointment marked a major milestone called PROGRESS! I was thrilled to discover that I am now 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and baby Jackson is at -2 station! WooHoo. Now, in reality, I know this doesn't "mean much" in terms of when labor is going to begin, but at least my body is doing something to prepare for Jackson's big debut. Perhaps it also explains all the low pressure I feel now, the occasional stabbing pains, and the more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions! I am measuring 37 weeks which is fairly on target (I am actually 36 weeks, 2 days). My BP was a little bit elevated but nothing major, and I am starting to swell like a sausage--not fun or attractive. The swelling used to be only in my feet and ankles, but now I'm really seeing it in my calves, hands, and under/around my eyes and face. Again, Dr. Liao said this was normal for where I am in the pregnancy. Today's appointment also marked the beginning of weekly visits, so you can look forward to more frequent updates from now on!

Friday, April 16, 2010

No, this isn't about State Farm Insurance, it's about a really good neighbor--I mean really good. My next door neighbor, Nathalie, volunteered to plant our front yard flowers for this spring since I'm not exactly in the market to be digging and bending over 1,000 times right now. She's a really excellent gardener, and she actually enjoys working outside, but WOW--what an amazingly nice thing to offer. It takes such a huge load off of our "to do" list.

There she is working away.

One side finished with initial planting (forgive the shrubs, they will be redone next year).

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Today, I am one lucky girl! My parents have relocated to Northern Virginia to be here for Justin and I as we raise Jackson (and others too, hopefully). Yesterday was the big moving day, and everything went suprisingly smoothly. There's still a lot of work to be done-- so I'm headed over to help as soon as I'm finished blogging (yay for priorities). Here are a few photos from yesterday. When everything is finished, I'll take more to show off their adorable new place.

Arriving at the apartment complex.

The big moving truck prepares to unload.

Dad assembles the TV stand-- this is a daunting photograph if you ask me.

Mom works on their bedroom-- hanging clothes.

We're all still working at nightfall (yes, I did more than take photographs).

Thanks Mom and Dad for the huge sacrifice you're making to leave Roanoke and move to the DC-Metro area-- you're very brave!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Well, it's offically growing more difficult to get an attractive photo of myself, but I suppose this will "do" for now. I'm 34 weeks, 2 days along now, and I had another doctor's appointment this morning. Everything looks good-- BP and urine normal but I do have some trace to +1 edema in my ankles and feet. I got swabbed for GBS (woohoo) today, so I went ahead and asked doctor Liao to do a quick internal exam for dialation. Turns out, I'm not dialated or effaced yet. This didn't come as too great a suprise since I haven't really had any contractions to date. I just hope it doesn't mean that Jackson is going to be one of those dreaded "overdue" babies. My next appointment is at 36 weeks, then they become every week until D-Day. Perhaps I'll start making a little "progress" by my next internal exam-- only time shall tell.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Guess what's cooking at the Heath house? That's right-- nipples! Nipples of all shapes, sizes, colors, and varieties. Haha! Yes, I got my final shipment of things I ordered off our baby registries (thank you giftcard givers), and I decided to go ahead and sterilize all the 5oz bottles and pacifiers (saving the 9oz ones for later). I just love nesting.

Justin

Jackson

a.k.a. "Jax" and "Taco"; the real reason I started this blog; the most brave and resilient five year old in the universe; a survivor; loves performing, swimming, hockey, and "Star Wars"; learning to read!

Oliver

a.k.a. "brother" and "stinky"; our newest addition who loves to eat and get into trouble; best described as "scrappy"; lover of all things dangerous and dirty; super tough; loves being read to.

Maggie Mae (RIP)

I am a proud mother of two beautiful sons, Jackson and Oliver. I have dreamt about them since I was a little girl and feel infinitely blessed to have them in my heart and home to raise. I'm also a part-time photographer adventuring in owning my own small business. I'm a muscle-car enthusiast ... currently working on restoring my second Chevy Nova. Yep, I wear many (very different) hats.
I am a wife to a wonderful man named Justin who has given me the gift of having our children's early years at home. He makes my life so very happy. I am a UVA graduate and a former Pediatrics RN. Currently, I am busy staying home fulltime with my boys, managing Jackson's specialized medical care for Progressive Infantile Scoliosis, working as a photographer, and blogging. I am also a daughter of Christ, writer, ice hockey fan, worker-outer, and a lover of Harry Potter, Rupert Grint, bubble tea, wine, Hot Tamales, and antique muscle cars.
I created this blog to share our adventures with so many wonderful friends and family. I have learned to count my blessings daily and that this really is a crazy, beautiful life.